The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship 2026 at MIT is now accepting applications. This esteemed program, which is accessible to applicants from all over the world, chooses ten outstanding science journalists each year for a full academic year fellowship. Through the fellowship, journalists can become experts in a selected field while expanding their knowledge of science, technology, health, and environmental reporting.
The KSJ Fellowship provides a fully supported experience, including an $85,000 stipend for full-time living in the Boston/Cambridge area, for mid-career individuals who exhibit exceptional achievement and dedication to science journalism. Fellows use MIT’s resources and expert community to work on a research topic relevant to journalism.
Participants participate in seminars, workshops, field visits, classes, and frequent project meetings over the nine-month program. They also have access to a robust professional network and top-notch research institutes. Each journalist presents their finished project at the conclusion of the fellowship; many of these projects go on to become published books, essays, podcasts, or videos.
International scientific journalists have a unique opportunity to develop their abilities and create significant, influential work thanks to the KSJ Fellowship.
Host Country: USA
University: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Opportunity Type: Fellowships
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must work as journalists full-time, either as staff or freelancers. Producers and writers who work part-time are not qualified.
- It is necessary to have at least three years of experience in reporting on science, technology, health, or the environment.
- Reporters, editors, writers, producers, filmmakers, illustrators, and photojournalists who work in newspapers, magazines, television, radio, or digital media are all eligible.
- Before applying for the 2026 KSJ Fellowship, candidates must not have finished another fellowship lasting four months or more in the two years prior.
- For the duration of the MIT academic year (mid-August to May), chosen fellows are required to live full-time in the Boston/Cambridge region.
- The U.S. State Department must issue a valid U.S. visa to foreign applicants.
Benefits:
- A stipend of $85,000 is given to fellows over a period of 9.5 months in installments.
- There is a housing and travel allowance.
- The fellow and their dependents are provided with basic health insurance.
- access to training courses, workshops, field trips, and seminars hosted by the KSJ Program.
- chance to become a part of a worldwide journalism community and establish beneficial career relationships.
- Fellows stay in a significant global center of innovation for nine months.
Required Documents:
- Professional autobiography
- Updated resume or CV
- Research project proposal
- Five samples of published work
- Three professional references
Deadline: January 9, 2026
